To be eligible for the Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School), a player must be a senior and have achieved excellence in four areas: academics, community, character and competition. Hart checks off all those boxes and more, making him an easy pick for the prestigious honor in 2017. “He is one of the most complete players in Villanova history—among our leaders in scoring, rebounding, steals and assists,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. “Off the court he is an Eagle Scout, a respected, active member of our community and of the student body and is set to graduate on time in May. He is a proud example of a student-athlete at Villanova."

Strengths

Crafty scorer at the rim

Improved 3-point shooter

Excellent rebounder

Rugged defender

Good passer

Strength

Winner

Weaknesses

Not a super explosive athlete

Doesn’t have prototypical NBA two-guard size

Needs to develop more consistent pull-up game

NBA projection: Hart has been projected as a second-round Draft pick.

2016-17 Season
Hart put together the kind of season that everyone expected when he decided to return to Villanova instead of declare for the NBA Draft. Where to start? How about with the Julius Erving Award, given to the nation’s top small forward? Hart also won the Senior CLASS Award and was chosen a unanimous first-team All-American, the Big East Player of the Year and co-Defensive Player of the Year, and the Most Outstanding Player in the Big East tournament while leading the defending national champion Wildcats back to the NCAA tournament, where they were upset by Wisconsin in the round of 32. He led Villanova in scoring, rebounding and 3-point percentage and was second in assists and steals.

Career Highlights: Part of Villanova’s 2016 national championship team. Winner of the 2017 Julius Erving Award as the nation's top small forward and a Consensus First-Team All-American. The only Wildcat in history besides Kerry Kittles with career totals of over 1,800 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists and 150 steals.

Cool statistic: Only two players in Villanova history accumulated more than 1,800 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists and 150 assists in their careers—Kerry Kittles and Josh Hart.

Reminds me of: Malcolm Brogdon

What Insiders SayVillanova coach Jay Wright
“He’s as complete a player as we’ve ever had at Villanova.”

What Outsiders SayMarquette Coach Steve Wojciechowski
“He’s national player-of-the-year-caliber. He’s had a great season. We were fortunate in our game here to get him in foul trouble, but the kid is a winner, plain and simple ... he’s always making winning plays.”